Which Physical Therapy Programs Should You Choose?

Find Physical Therapy Programs in the United States and Canada. There’s a huge assortment of physical therapy programs from which to choose. For instance, in case you have already attained a sure stage of training from considered one of over 200 accredited physical therapy programs within the United States.

Some colleges supply an undergraduate program in physical therapy, which college students can enter as freshmen or after completing two or three years of undergraduate training elsewhere.

These college students will obtain a bachelor’s degree in physical therapy on completion of the program. For entry into a two- to 3-yr graduate program in physical therapy, a pupil should first obtain a bachelor’s degree in another field. On completion of the graduate program, college students will receive a master’s diploma in physical therapy.

Entry into physical therapy programs is very competitive, and most schools desire grade point averages of between 3.5 and 4.0. Well being-associated volunteer work may earn a few factors in your favor. Some colleges require candidates to have engaged in volunteer or paid physical therapy work at hospitals, because it helps them perceive the career and resolve whether or not they’re really lower out for it. Whereas totally different colleges have totally different admission prerequisites, practically all require at the least a year of biology, not less than one semester of chemistry and physics, and programs in other science-associated fields.

Relying on which physical therapy program wherein you enroll, there are several specialised areas of examine which might be currently available. Various colleges and universities present practical coaching in orthopedic physical therapy, occupational physical therapy, cardiovascular/pulmonary rehabilitation, and more amongst others.

In case you are extra interested in turning into a physical therapy assistant (PTA) or physical therapy aide, there are additionally quite a few physical therapy programs primarily designed for the longer term PTA in mind. Candidates learn to work under the supervision of a licensed physical therapist after they have efficiently graduated from an accredited Associate diploma program.

Students searching for admission into a physical therapy program must find out which tests are required by faculties of their choice. The General Record Examination (GRE) is a prerequisite for several faculties providing the master’s degree program. Others require the Allied Well being Professions Aptitude Test (AHPAT) for admission. A scholar is suggested to make early plans to finish required courses and tests.

Associates in Physical Remedy programs often take approximately two years to finish and are the academic stepping stone for physical therapy assistants. Upon completion, graduates can go onto attaining their Bachelors, Masters or Doctorates and earn the proper to develop into licensed physical therapists.

Relying on the degree course, students can anticipate a curriculum in anatomy, CPR and first assist, physiology, biology, chemistry, and physics; and practical training in therapeutic modalities (together with massage techniques, handbook and mechanical therapies, etc.). Whereas not all physical therapy faculties offer the exact same curriculum, accredited physical therapy packages (by the American Physical Remedy Association APTA) should meet common, and primary instructional requirements; so while many might differ in specialised training, the academic foundations are very similar.